A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Istanbul vs. Geneva for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Backpackers

Should you visit Istanbul or Geneva?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Geneva, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Istanbul

Istanbul is a beautiful, high-energy, and historic city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Geneva

Geneva is a diverse, international, and professional city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Istanbul and Geneva: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Istanbul or Geneva?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Istanbul than Geneva, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Istanbul is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Geneva is known for its shopping. Istanbul is more touristy than Geneva and is known for its world class historical sights, stunning mosques, and dynamic energy. It is also home to The Blue Mosque. Geneva is popular for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization.

How is Istanbul different from Geneva?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Geneva and Istanbul. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Istanbul or Geneva?

Istanbul is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Istanbul that are not to be missed. With such a long and diverse religious and political history, it has many museums, mosques, churches, and archeological sites that you can visit. Some of the most famous sights include the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Sarayi, and the Blue Mosque.

Geneva offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

Is the Food Better in Istanbul or Geneva? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Istanbul is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eat your way through Istanbul, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. From Turkish classics to sweet desserts, the city has it all. Popular dishes include Turkish style pizza, kebabs, and doner, which you'll find everywhere for affordable prices. You'll also find many tourist-centered restaurants in the touristy areas but if you get away from the main sights, you'll find more local options that let you sample high quality food for affordable prices.

Geneva has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

Is Istanbul or Geneva Better for Nightlife?

Istanbul is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Istanbul know how to have a good time. Dancing, dining, and partying have all become part of Istanbul's culture. Top nightclubs in the city include Reina, Sortie, and Supperclub. If you're looking for dance clubs and alcohol, your best bet is to head to the Beyoglu district.

If you're looking for night time activities Geneva has a few options to choose from. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.

Is Istanbul or Geneva Better for its Old Town?

Istanbul is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Istanbul offers plenty to see. The Old City in Istanbul is the most historic part of the city. It's where you'll find most of the city's historic sights. The area around Sultanahmet Square is the most popular tourist area to explore.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Geneva. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Is the Shopping Better in Istanbul or Geneva?

Geneva is an amazing city to visit for shopping. Also, Istanbul is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Geneva is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

Istanbul is well-known for its shopping. It is the capital of culture and fashion in Turkey, and there are many shopping areas that carry all kinds of brands. For a more traditional, but touristy experience head to the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market. For modern brands, Istiklal Caddesi is the most popular area for shopping.

Is Istanbul or Geneva Better for Families?

Istanbul is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Istanbul is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has several kid-friendly museums, a couple of aquariums, and fun theme parks. If the kids need a break from the city, you can spend a day at Vialand Theme Park or LEGOLAND Discovery Center Istanbul. Food in Istanbul is also very kid-friendly with many affordable dishes that young ones will enjoy.

Geneva offers lots of family activities. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

Is Istanbul or Geneva Better for Couples?

Istanbul is a great destination for romance. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Istanbul frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy history, culture, and vibrant neighborhoods will enjoy a romantic stay here. The city lights up at night and there are many rooftop dessert cafes where you can take in the view. The waterfront setting is the perfect place to watch the sunset and there are many places to walk and soak up the atmosphere.

Geneva makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

Is Istanbul or Geneva Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Istanbul is an unbeatable place for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Istanbul is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. There are plenty of hostels and budget accommodation options, and there's also plenty of ways to meet other travelers. You'll find plenty of hostels concentrated in the Sultanahmet area.

Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.

Is Istanbul or Geneva Better for Students?

Istanbul and Geneva are both great destinations for students and younger travelers.

Istanbul is a great city to visit as a student. Students appreciate the city's vibrant neighborhoods, constant activity, and diverse population.

Students come from all over to stay in Geneva. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

Is Istanbul or Geneva Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Istanbul and Geneva offer world-class public transit options.

Public transit in Istanbul is top-notch. It has a comprehensive and diverse public transit system that includes buses, trams, minibuses, ferries, funicular, and more.

Geneva has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

Is Istanbul or Geneva a more walkable city?

Istanbul and Geneva both are great when exploring on foot.

Istanbul is very walkable. Although it is huge, most of the neighborhoods that tourists visit are incredibly walkable and pedestrian-friendly.

Geneva is a very walkable city. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Istanbul Worth Visiting? and Is Geneva Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Geneva or Istanbul?

How long in Istanbul or Geneva?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Istanbul and Geneva. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Istanbul than in Geneva. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Istanbul, and 1-3 days is enough time in Geneva.

Families should spend more time in Istanbul than Geneva. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Istanbul, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Istanbul than Geneva. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Istanbul that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Istanbul than Geneva if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Istanbul.

One day in Istanbul or Geneva?

Istanbul is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Geneva offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Istanbul or Geneva?

Istanbul is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Geneva is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Geneva, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Istanbul or Geneva?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Istanbul. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Geneva is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Istanbul or Geneva?

Istanbul is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Geneva is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Turkey, The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, and The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Geneva, we can see that Geneva is more expensive. And not only is Istanbul much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Istanbul would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Istanbul and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Geneva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Geneva than you might in Istanbul.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Istanbul Expensive? and Is Geneva Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Geneva?

Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Geneva. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul and Geneva, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Istanbul or Geneva?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Istanbul or Geneva in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Istanbul and Geneva. Many travelers come to Istanbul for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Geneva in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Istanbul is around the same temperature as Geneva in the summer. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 24°C (74°F) in July, and Geneva fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Geneva this time of the year. In Istanbul, it's very sunny this time of the year. Istanbul usually receives more sunshine than Geneva during summer. Istanbul gets 333 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Istanbul usually receives less rain than Geneva. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Istanbul or Geneva in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as Geneva. Many visitors come to Istanbul in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Geneva for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Istanbul is a little warmer than Geneva. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Istanbul in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Geneva averages at about 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Istanbul often gets more sunshine than Geneva. Istanbul gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 127 hours of full sun.

Istanbul usually gets less rain in October than Geneva. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Istanbul or Geneva in the Winter?

Both Geneva and Istanbul are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Istanbul for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Geneva because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Geneva can be very cold. In January, Istanbul is generally much warmer than Geneva. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 6°C (43°F), and Geneva fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Istanbul usually receives more sunshine than Geneva during winter. Istanbul gets 75 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Istanbul usually receives more rain than Geneva. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Istanbul or Geneva in the Spring?

Both Geneva and Istanbul during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Geneva this time of year.

Istanbul is around the same temperature as Geneva in the spring. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Geneva fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Istanbul often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Geneva. Istanbul gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 174 hours of full sun.

Istanbul usually gets less rain in April than Geneva. Istanbul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Geneva and Istanbul